'It's a great cause': Thousands take to streets of Cork for 45th Echo Women’s Mini Marathon

Thousands of women, girls, and some creatively disguised men took to the streets of Cork city on Sunday for the 45th Echo Women’s Mini Marathon.

Up to 4,100 people signed up to run, walk, or wheel the 6km journey, which started from Centre Park Road and finished outside Kennedy Park.

The annual event, hosted by Cork Athletics, is the largest of its kind on the Munster calendar, and raises an estimated €1.5m every year for selected charities.

Ali Donnellan from Midleton, who was running with friends in aid of Marymount Hospice, told The Echo ahead of the event that the charity gave her family great support following the deaths of her parents.

“I’m running today because 10 years ago I ran this with my mom and my brother in memory of my dad, and now I’m running it in memory of my mom,” said Ms Donnellan.

“I’m doing it for Marymount Hospice, where she passed away a few months ago. They gave us great support throughout the years.

“It’s a great cause and there’s a big group of us here to raise money and awareness.” 

Amanda Cruise, Innishannon, was running in a group of six for the Cork ARC Cancer Support House. 

She said she and her teammates, who are all breast cancer survivors, were taking part as “we’ve all had the support from ARC”.

“This is my second year doing the marathon, it’s a great day out, the walk is stunning,” said Ms Cruise, adding that "the atmosphere is so great when you get out there". 

Donning their finest fluorescent wigs, brothers Adam and Jay Garvey, from Togher, were running in aid of mental health charity Jigsaw.

“Myself and my brother — who is my sister today — decided to run for Jigsaw because we have a family member who had some mental health problems growing up,” said Adam.

“It’s a really good charity, so we just said we’d fundraise some money and come here today to sweat it out and have some fun."

Participants were welcomed by the Deputy Lord Mayor of Cork, Gary O’Brien, who offered a few words of encouragement before the starting pistol was fired.

“It’s wonderful to see so many women coming together. Forty-five years is a fantastic milestone,” said Mr O’Brien.

The race got under way at 1pm, with Kerry athlete Níamh O’Mahony of An Ríocht Athletics Club claiming first in 20 minutes and 29 seconds.

Ms O’Mahony, who was a first-time participant, said the race was “really good, it was really exciting”.

“I’ve not done a road race like this before, it was a last-minute decision, but there was such a good atmosphere,” said Ms O’Mahony.

“I’m relieved it’s over now, my legs were getting really tired during the last kilometre.

“I’ll be back again next year.” 

Hannah Smith and Sinéad O’Connor of Leevale Athletics Club followed Ms O’Mahony in second and third place, respectively.

Race director Michael Flynn hailed what he called a fantastic day. "There was great weather, and it was wonderful to see so many women out here participating.

“To get to 45 years unbroken, it’s absolutely unbelievable and I’m sure everyone’s already thinking about the next five years and hitting that 50-year milestone,” said Mr Flynn.